Pulse regenerator



April 25, 1944. o'D. SHEPHERD 2,347,513

PULSE REGENERATOR Filed Sept. 30, 1941 5 Shets-Sheet 1 FIG.

INVENTOR JUDSON OD.v SHEPHERD April 1944- I J. OD. SHEPHERD 2,347,513

PULSE REGENERATOR I Filed Sept. 30, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVgNTOR JUDSON o0. SHEPHERD April 25, 1944. J. OD. SHEPHERD 2,347,513

PULSE REGENERATOR Filed Sept. 30, 1941 5 Sheets-Sfieet s FIG. 5

FIG. 8'

INVENTOR' JUDSON ob. SHEPHERD ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 25, 194-4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PULSE REGENERATOR Judson OD. Shepherd, Atlanta, Ga.

Application September 30, 1941, Serial No. 412,954

21 Claims.

This invention relates to signaling systems and particularly to pulse regenerators used in communication systems.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and economical means for relaying signaling pulses regenerated so as to be correct in strength, length and timing. Such means are particularly useful in telephone systems where dialing pulses may be mutilated by the length and condition of long lines. Means of this nature may be used at an intermediate point in a long line where the incoming pulses may not be seriously mutilated but would be if they traversed the entire length of the line, and where simple relay repeating means would be inadequate since such. means have no correcting action but would tend to aggravate any mutilation.

In accordance with this invention, a plurality of number discs are provided, one for each digital train of pulses to be repeated. The incoming pulses of a train will rotate a disc as many steps off normal as there are impulses in the train. Later this disc will be returned to normal and during this return movement outgoing pulses of proper strength, length and timing will be transmitted, the number being governed by the distance the disc had been rotated off-normal.

A feature of the invention is automatic means to restore the number discs to normal after an abandoned call. In one embodiment of the invention the number discs are immediately restored so that in its idle position all parts of the device are at normal. In another embodiment of the invention the number discs are restored to. normal automatically as they become cooperatively associated with a common stepping means. In both cases after an abandoned call the device will be found automatically ready to serve a new call.

A feature of the invention is a pair of stepping pawls common to all the said discs and operating directly on such discs, one at a time. Each said disc is provided with teeth on its periphery designed for cooperation with said pawls, one of which rotates the disc in one direction and the other of which rotates the disc in the opposite direction.

Another feature of the invention is a stepping pawl linkage comprising a stepping pawl mounted on a shaft and having a vane movable longitudinally along the said shaft, which vane may be acted upon by an electromagnet in any of the several positions of the. pawl and vane. Incoming pulses of a train will cause the rotational movement of the pawl through movement transmitted to the vane. At the end of the train of pulses the vane and its associated pawl will be given a longitudinal movement to bring the pawl into association with the next. in order number disc whereupon the point of contact between the electromagnet for causing the rotational movement and the vane will be correspondingly changed. A similar arrangement is used for control of the transmission of outgoing pulses.

Another feature of the invention are sets of contacts individual to each said number disc. Part of these contacts are operated by the incoming pulse pawl and. part are operated by the outgoing pulse pawl. These contacts are operated by the movementv of the pawl into association with a number disc but their operation is not disturbed by the rotational movement thereof.

Another feature of the invention is a set of off -normal contacts foreach number disc, which are operated by the movement of the disc itself. Through the' cooperation of these contacts and the before-mentioned contacts individual to the said discs, circuit operations for controlling the device are carried out.

In another embodiment of the present invention the individual displaceable elements are in the form of pinions which are rotated by either of two common gear wheels, one of said wheels being operated inv response to incoming pulses and the other being operated in response to outgoing pulses. When an incoming train of pulses is to be registered on one of these mechanically displaceable elements, it is shifted to mesh with said incoming common gear and is moved as many steps off normal as there are pulses in the train. Similarly, when the out pulses are to be transmitted this same mechanically displaceable element is shifted into mesh with the common out-pulsing gear and then moved backward until it reaches its normal position.

Another feature of the invention are selectors for bringing the common direct acting means, here specifically shown as gears, into association with the separate mechanically displaceable elements, here specifically shown as pinions, which selectors have a continuous forward movement. Since both the in-pulse selector and the out-puls selector are of the same type, overtake means are provided in the form of a mechanical arrangement comprising a mechanical feeler for testing the mechanical position of the next in order displaceable element. Both in and out overtake arrangements are provided since the Figure 1 is a top view partly in section of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the same; Fig. 3 is a top view of the same device;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the assembly of number wheels which have been advanced incident to registering a number illustrating the means for restoring the number wheels to normal;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the arrangement for operating ofi-normal contacts by the restoring bar;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the pulse rate control mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the manner in which this device may be employed.

Fig. 9 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a side view of this second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 11 is an end view of the same;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the in-pulse selector arm and is a substantial duplicate of the out-pulse selector arm; and

Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram. showing the manner in which this device may be employed.

The device consists essentially of a plurality of number discs 1 to 8, inclusive, the number used being chosen with regard to the service to which the device will be put. In the present case eight discs are shown as a means to repeat an eight-digit telephone number. There is a common set of pawls 9 and ID to propel these discs, the pawl 9 moving a disc step by step from its normal position and the pawl Ill moving the disc back to its normal position, the number of steps in the first case corresponding to the number of pulses in an incoming train of pulses and the number of steps in the second case corresponding to the number of pulses transmitted, being counted until a signal that the normal position has been reached is received, thereby causing the same number of pulses to be transmitted as was received. The common pawls are associated with each disc in turn so that each disc will register an incoming train of pulses and will later cause the transmission of a like number of pulses into an outgoing circuit.

In the following description it will be understood that the showing is to a great extentskeletonized in order to render an understanding thereof clearer. Most of the well-known mechanical expedients for mounting the various pieces of apparatus on a frame have been omitted and hence it is to be understood that suitable arrangements of this nature are contemplated.

A shaft II is provided for mounting the discs and serves also as a mounting for certain other controlling apparatus. Each disc is provided with an ear such as the ear l2 of the disc 8 to operate a set of off-normal springs such as I3 to H, inclusive. When the disc is in normal position the springs will be as shown in Fig. 1 with contact being made between springs l4 and I5. When the disc is off-normal one contact will then be made between springs l3 and I4 and another will be made between springs l6 and I1 and the connection between springs l4 and IE will be broken. A restoring bar I8 is attached to a ratchet wheel i9 mounted on shaft II and which is held by the dog 20. As the device is operated the off-normal ears of the discs will rotate the restoring bar I8 and the distance it moves and is so retained by the dog will correspond to the greatest number of steps taken by any one disc. At the end of the operation of the device, the dog 29 will be withdrawn from the teeth of the ratchet wheel l9 and the restoring bar l3 under the influence of a spring 2! will return to the position shown in Fig. 1. As indicated in Fig. 6, the restoring bar causes a pair of off-normal contacts BI and 62 to close whenever the bar I8 is off-normal.

Each disc has associated with it a centering spring such as the spring 22 cooperating with the disc 8. A restoring rod 23 also mounted on the shaft 1 i is controlled by the restoring magnet 24. Upon a clockwise movement (Fig. 1) imparted by the restoring magnet, this bar rotates the dog 20 and at the same time lifts all of the centering springs from engagement with their respective discs.

Under normal conditions there is no work for the restoring bar l8 to perform but under certain other conditions, as for instance, where the use of the device is abandoned before its functions have been completed, it may be wished to immediately return all number discs to normal. Therefore, upon the operation of the restoring magnet 24 the centering springs will be lifted off the number discs to allow them to freely rotate and the bar it will move all off-normal discs to normal position, and open the off-normal springs 6i and 62.

The shafts 25 and 26 are provided. The shaft 25 has a sleeve 21 loosely mounted thereon so that it may rotate and slide longitudinally. The sleeve 2'! may be lifted (Fig. 1) step by step by a magnet 28 controlling a pawl 30 cooperating with the teeth formed integrally with the sleeve 21. The sleeve 21 is retained in any position to which it may be moved by the magnet 28 by the dog 29 (Fig. 5).

A vane Si is formed integrally with the collar 21 and serves as a means whereby the stepping magnet 32 through a finger 33 may rotate the collar 27. An arm 43 is attached to the collar 21 and rotates with it. Upon the energization of stepping magnet 32 the vane 3| and the arm 43 are rotated in a clockwise direction (Figs. 1 and 3) and the pawl 9, guided by the guide rod 39 engages a tooth of that disc with which it is at the time associated and rotates it one step in a counter-clockwise direction.

Similarly a collar 3G is loosely mounted on shaft 26 so that it may rotate and slide longitudinally. The collar 34 may be lifted step by step by a magnet 35 controlling a pawl 36 cooperating with the teeth formed integrally with the collar 34. The collar 34 is retained in any position to which it is moved by the magnet 35 by the dog 31.

A release magnet 38 when energized will disengage the dogs 29 and 31 and the pawls 3n and 36 and allow the collars 2'! and 34 to return to normal. The magnets 25 and 38 are both energized. at the same time and their functions may of the stepping magnet M the vane 48 and the arm 44' are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (Figs. 1 and 3) and the pawl l3, guided by the guide rod 39 engages a tooth of that disc with which it is at the time associated and rotates it one step in a clockwise direction toward its normal position;

Each number disc has associated with it, beside. the set of off-normal contacts 13 to IT two other sets of contacts operated when the in-pulsing arm 43 or the out-pulsing arm as is cooperatively associated therewith, respectively.

As indicated in Fig. 1 a camming surface 4! formed on the sleeve 21 cooperates with a cam 48 on the end of the spring 49 and causes the closure of a circuit through contact springs 45 and 46. This arrangement is standard for all of the number discs except number i, where an extra set of contacts 59 and B3 is provided, which act as an off-normal contact arrangement for the I in-pulsing arm.

Similarly, sets of contacts are operated by the outpulsing arm. As indicated in Fig. 1 a camming surface 56 is formed on the sleeve 34 at a point corresponding to the out-pulsing arm as which g cooperates with a cam 51 on the free end of spring 58. This operates two sets of contact springs 52 and 53 and 54 and 55. When the outpulsing arm is not cooperatively associated with a set of these contacts as in Fig. 1 then no connections are made by these contacts but when the sleeve 34 has been lifted to a point where the cam 51' is raised on the camrning surface 56 then a circuit is closed through contacts 5'2 and 53 and another circuit is closed through contacts 5% and 55 of the associated set.

As indicated in Fig. 2 a set of contacts 59, 5!, 63, 64 and 65 are operated when the out-pulsing arm is in its normal position where it is not in cooperative relationship with any one of the number discs. In this position a circuit is closed through contacts Stand 65. When the sleeve 34 is raised off-normal, then a circuit is closed through contacts 58 and 51 and another circuit is closed through contacts 63 and t4 and the previously closed circuit through contacts 54 and 65 is broken.

As indicated in Figs. 1 and 3 the set of contacts operated by the out-pulsin arm associated with disc 8 has an extra set of contacts 68 and 8? which are normally closed.

As indicated by 'l, a disc 65 is fixed to the first number disc l and rotates with it. Screws, such as 99 inserted in the tapped holes in this disc, or other appropriate adjustable means operate as cams and in certain predetermined adjustable positions thereof operate a set of pulse control contacts E8 and is, whose motion will appear hereinafter.

The arrangement of spring sets is shown in the circuit diagram Fig. 8. The top horizontal row represents the off-normal springs for number discs l and 2 and 8. The second row represents the spring combinations operated by the out-pulsing arm in its normal pothese various contact transmitting pulses at any given rate.

sition and when associated with discs I, 2 and 8. The third row represents the spring combinations operated by the in-pulsing arm when associated with discs I,'2 and 8.

Looking at these contact sets in vertical rows, the first vertical row to the left containing: set H only represents the set operated by the outpulsing arm in its normal position. The second vertical row represents the contacts associated with number disc I, the third vertical row represents the contacts associated with number disc 2 and the last vertical row to the right repre sents the contacts associated with the number disc 8. The sets of contacts associated with number discs 3, 4, 5. 6 and I are not shown but are identical with those as ociated with number disc 2.

The device of this invention is capable of By way of example means are shown whereby some trains of pulses may be transmitted at one rate and other trains at another rate. The rate is automatically selected by the pulse control disc 88 shown in some detail in Fig. '7. As the simplest arrangement the disc 68 is fixed to the first number disc l and rotates with it, and in certain positions thereof as determined by the position of screws 99 the contacts 69 and ill will be closed. Under ordinary conditions the out-pulsing will proceed at a slow rate-but when the number disc 5 and hence the pulse control disc 63 is driven to certain predetermined positions the out-pulsing will proceed at a fast rate. It will be understood that a number of different arrangements are contemplated and come within the spirit of the invention. The setting of the first number disc may be solely for determining the outgoing pulse rate and proper arrangements for preventing the transmission of out-pulses 0n the return of the number disc I to normal may be made or the setting of the number disc l may, as shown, perform the double function of determining the outgoing pulse rate as well as controlling the transmission of a train of pulses. Other arrangements will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

The manner of operation of this device may be understood through a description of the circuit diagram. of Fig. 8. The lines coming from the dial H to the relay (2 represent the incoming terminals of the device with the dial H representing the controlling station. The conductors i3 and 14 represent the outgoing terminals. The various contact sets are shown in the positions where the device is at normal.

When the station takes control of the device the loop is closed and relay 12 is energized. Relay 12 causes the operation of the first slow releasing relay 15 which responds and remains energized until the station loop is opened for a period longer than any of the pulses sent by the dial H. These pulses are in the usual form of short interruptions of the line circuit to which relay i2 responds but which do not afiect relay [5. Upon each interruption of the line circuit reiay it closes a circuit from armature and back contact of relay l2, armature l and front contact of relay l5, winding of second slow-- releasing relay 15 and winding of impulse magnet 32 to battery and ground. Magnet 32 responds to each pulse and relay it responds to the train of pulses as a whole. Relay it energizes magnet 28 which moves the pawl 3E! into engagement with the next lower tooth in the collar 2! preparatory to placing the pawl 9 into cooperative relationship with the net number disc. The magnet 32 in the meantime causes the first number disc to be rotated a number of steps corresponding to the number of pulses in the train. At the conclusion of this train of pulse the mag net 28 releases and moves the pawl 9 into cooperative relationship with the next number disc. After the so-called interdigit pause the next digit may be likewise registered.

The contact set 89 is in the position shown while the first digit is being registered. The contact set 18 is in the position shown before the first digit is registered but as soon as the first number disc I is moved elf-normal this set assumes its normal position. The contact spring 45 of the set 80 leads to a terminal 88 which may be connected either to terminal 89 to provide a delayed start of the first train of out-pulses or to terminal 90 to provide an immediate start of the first train of out-pulses. Let it be first assumed that the terminals 88 and 89 are interconnected for a delayed start. Then as soon as relay 15 is operated a circuit is established between ground armature 3 of relay 15, contacts 46 and 45 of set 89, terminals 88 and 89, lefthand winding of relay 9| to battery. Relay 9| is energized and will remain energized until the contact set 80 is restored to normal at the release of magnet 28 when the in-pulse arm is moved into cooperative relationship with number disc 2, whereupon the set 80 is released and the set 83 is operated. The release of relay 9| under this condition assumes that a start signal has previously been received. to operate relay 86 as will appear hereinafter.

Relay 9| upon its energization closed a circuit from ground contact springs 65 and 61 of set 85, which later will be opened when the outpulsing arm 88 is moved into cooperative relationship with the number disc 9, left-hand armature and front contact of relay 9|, winding of relay 92 to battery and ground. Relay 92 pre pares a circuit for the magnet 35. Now as the in-pulse arm moves on and contact set 80 is restored to normal the relay 9| releases after a predetermined period and thereupon establishes a circuit from ground, contact springs 65 and 61 of set 85, left-hand armature and back contact of relay 9|, front contact and armature of relay 92, winding of magnet 35 to battery. Magnet 35 moves the pawl 36 into engagement with the next lower tooth on sleeve 34 preparatory to moving the out-pulse arm 44 into cooperative relationship with number disc I. After a predetermined period measured by the slow-releasing characteristics of relay 92, this relay releases and by opening the circuit of magnet 35 causes the release of this magnet and the advance of the out-pulse arm 44. The set of contacts 11' is now returned to normal and the set 19 is operated.

A circuit is now closed from ground, pick-up interrupter 98, back contact and armature 3 of relay 94, contacts 52 and 53 of set I9, contacts l3 and 4 of set 18, left-hand winding of relay 9| to battery. Interrupters 97 and 98 rotate at the same speed preferably being on the same shaft, and the pulses of the one occur in between the pulses of the other. Therefore, relay 9| is energized over its left-hand winding and closes a circuit to be described from interrupter 91 over its right-hand armature only if the circuit through interrupter 91 is at that instant open. If the contacts of set 19 are closed during the pulse from interrupter 91 then relay 9| is not operated until after this pulse is completed and the circuit through interrupter 98 is closed. Once the relay 9| is energized, however, it will remain constantly operated until the contacts of set 18 are returned to the position shown at the return to normal of disc I, due to the slow releasing characteristics of this relay and due to the fact also that it is alternately energized through its left and then its right-hand winding. Very shortly after the energization of relay 9| over its left-hand winding a circuit will be established from ground interrupter 91, back contact and armature 2 of relay 94, contacts 54 and 55 of set 19, contacts l5 and I! of set 18, right-hand armature and front contact of relay 9| and thence in parallel through the right-hand winding of relay 9| to battery and ground and through the winding of relay 93 to battery and ground. Relay 93 sets up a parallel circuit from interrupter 9! through its armature and front contact to these two relay windings so that if the contacts of set 18 should be opened during a pulse that pulse will not be mutilated. Thus relay 93 operates intermittently under control of interrupter 97.

Upon each operation of relay 93 a circuit is established from ground armature 2 and front contact of relay 93 through the winding of stepping magnet 4| to battery and ground and this magnet by operating the common pawl l9 returns the number disc I step by step to its normal position, whereupon both circuits for relay 9| are opened and the operation of relay 93 halted by operation of contact set 18.

The out-pulse circuit which may be traced from conductor 13 through the left-hand winding of relay 86 through the front contact and armature 2 of relay 15, the back contact and armature 3 of relay 93 to conductor 14 is thus intermittently opened under machine control a number of times corresponding exactly to the number of steps the number disc I had been operated in response to the pulses of the incoming train.

It may be noted at this time that if the inpulse arm is still cooperatively associated with number disc 2 that upon the return to normal of the oiT-normal contact set 18 that relay 9| would fail to release due to a circuit which could now be traced from ground, armature 3 and front contact of relay 15, contacts 46 and 45 of set 83, contacts l5 and I4 of set I8 to the left-hand winding of relay 9|. The circuit to the righthand armature of relay 9| is, however, opened at contacts I! and I6 of set 18 so that no further pulsing can take place. This constitutes an overtake arrangement so that the out-pulsing arm cannot come into cooperative relationship with the sam number disc which is at the time under control of the in-pulsing arm.

During the energization of relay 9| relay 92 is energized as described hereinbefore. Upon the deenergization of relay 9| the magnet 35 is energized and at a given time interval thereafter relay 92 and therefore magnet 35 release whereupon the out-pulse arm is stepped into cooperative relationship with the next number disc. Thus as soon as a digit has been completely registered on a number disc the out-pulse arm may be moved into association therewith and a like trainv of out-pulses transmitted.

When the out-pulse arm moves into association with set 85 it may complete its function of transmitting the outpulses but the circuit for advancing such arm is opened at contacts and 61, so that this arm will remain in association with the last number disc.

operate relay 85.

digit has been registered.

Returning now to the point where thein-pulse arm is being set it should be noted that. if. terminals 88 and 90 are connected together forimmediate start as soon as a digit is registered and a start signal is received, when the .regenerator is seized and relay becomes operated, a circuit will be completed to operate magnet 35 instead of relay 9| as hereinbefore described. Therefore immediately that the in-pulse arm is advanced and the contacts 46 and 45 of set 80 are opened the magnet 35 will release and the out-pulse arm will be advanced to disc I. If a start signal has been received, the difference in time betweenlthis immediate start and the delayed start hereinbefor described is measured by the slow-releasing characteristics of relays SI and 92. It is slight but of some importance under certain circumstances.

It may be desirable to delay the transmission of pulses until a start signal is received as, for example, in connection with familiar arrangements whereby there may be a delay before the apparatus connected to conductors 13 and I4 is ready to receive impulses. One means for efiecting this employs relay 86 which is marginal. It will not operate on the current flowing through the loop including conductors i3 and 14 when relay ?5 operates initially due to high resistance in the distant equipment. When the latter equipment is ready to receive pulses, the latter resistance is reduced sufiiciently as a start signal to The latter locks up to ground at armature 3 and front contact of relay 15. It will be noted that ground is normally extended through the back contact and armature of relay 86. front contact and armature of relay 15 to the conductor connected to terminal 88. Consequently, when contact set so is released by the advance of the registration portion of the device to disc 2, the ground circuit which is opened at contacts :5 and 46 will be inefiective to release relay 94 or magnet 35, depending respectively on whether terminal 86 is connected to terminal 89 or 99 unless relay 36 has operated. Consequently the last-mentioned relay or magnet will be maintained operated until the start signal is received whereupon the out-pulsing'will start if the first It will be apparent that where a start signal is not required, relay 86 may be blocked in its operated position .or may :be omitted with the minor circuit changes required incident thereto as will be understood.

The contacts 59 and H1 known as the pulsecontrol contacts are, as hereinbefore described,

operated in certain positions of the number disc I. If the number disc is set to such a position a circuit will be established from ground contacts E3 and 64 of set E7, contacts 69 and ii! of set 81 to the right-hand winding of relay 94. While the contact set T! is as shown, relay 94 will operate through its right-hand winding and as soon as the out-pulse arm moves into relationship with number disc relay 94 holds through its left-hand winding, its front contact and armature l and contacts 62 and B3 of set ii to ground. Relay SQ substitutes interrupters 85 and 95 for interrupters 9? and 98 respectively so that the out-pulses are transmitted at a different rate.

When the relay i2 is released for a period long enough to release the relay '55 a circuit is set up from ground, armature and back contact of relay i2, armature i and back contactof relay l5 andthence through contacts 59 and it! ofset T! or contacts 59 and 63 of set as or through contacts 6i and 62 to the windings of the release magnetsZE and 38 to return the apparatus to normal.

Figs. 9 to 12 show another embodiment of the invention. In this case the number discs-are arranged about the periphery of :a pair of common gear wheels and instead of having a common pawl associated with each in turn, each in turn is moved into cooperative relationship with the common gears. Again in this case the various essential parts only are shown and no attempt is made to indicate the method or the means for mounting such parts, it being understood that such devices are common knowledge and capable of being supplied by any one skilled in the art. To a certain extent Figs. '9 to 12 are skeletonized in order to render the understanding of the device and its mode of operation more clear.

The principle involved is similar to that set out in relation to Figs. 1 to 8. A series of register wheels, one for each digit to bestored, is provided. The incoming pulses step one of the wheels aroundone step for each pulse, and the registration selecting mechanism is advanced to the next wheel. This wheel is similarly set by the second digit and so on. When the first digit is registered. the out portion of the mechanism is advanced to the wheel which has been set thereby. This wheel is then stepped back toward normal, and with each step, a pulse is transmitted to the equipment beyond. When the wheel reaches normal, this condition is detected and the out pulses are stopped, resulting in .as many having been transmitted .as were registeredhon this wheel. The out portion of the .mechanism is then advanced to the next wheeland, after an appropriate .delay to permit .the equipment beyond properly to function, the registration of this wheel is transmitted.

A side view of the regenerator is shownI-in Fig.

10, a top view in Fig. 9 and an end view in Fig. ll. Fig. 12 is .a fragmentary perspective View of the advance mechanism for either the in-pulse advance or the out-pulse advance. The two sides of the regenerator' are substantially identical with the minor exception of :the stepping ar-I rangements which are differently arrangedato effect proper direction of rotation of the several elements. The two sides will be termed herein the in portion and the out-portion,whichiare respectively, the left and right halves of Fig. 11. Many details are omitted from each view.

The device has a capacity of permanently storing ninety pulses (-9 digits of ten pulses each), i. e. it can retain nine digits indefinitely. A smaller number of wheels could beused :fiorthe same capacity if permanent storage is not :required. It has nine register wheels numbered IM to I09 in order. These register wheels .are spur gears of a size and design similar ttoithose rotating the dials in the carriage of :certainwel'l known calculating machines. Each .of .these wheels is fixed :to .an individual shaift 111101119 nclusive respectively.

Two large gear wheels I00 and H0 are nrounted .freely :on atcommon :shaft I20. i "Wheel :lillD i-s 'rotatedbyta stepping magnet [21 in response'to the in-pulses'andiwheel .IJIO inthe opposite direction byano'therstepping magnet 12 2 fromithe out-pulses as they are transmitted.

I24. The throw for each step is the angular distance between register wheels. The out portion is identical in design, and comprises the out advance ratchet wheel I25 and its stepping magnet I25 which is operated at the end of each digit which is transmitted beyond.

Each of the two portions of the regenerator have certain cams and contacts which are operatively associated with the individual register wheels as will be brought out hereinafter. Two slip rings, or the equivalent, on each portion connect the moving elements with the external circuit. These contacts control ground circuits and the arrangement provided contemplates that adequate ground can be secured through the shaft of the device, but it is within the spirit of the invention to provide a ground slip ring for eachportion as an alternative.

The nine register wheels are identical, each .having eleven coarse teeth, and each is normally between the in-step wheel I and the out-step wheel H0 and are not normally affected by the movement of these stepping wheels. The register wheels are mounted on shafts which turn ,freely and the wheel is maintained in any position to which it is rotated by means of a springactuated drag. This drag I35, Fig. 11, also furnishes a desirable centering action. The drag has a lug on formation in its center which assists in holding the wheel fixed in its normal position against longitudinal motion and preivents overthrow into engagement with one of the wheels I00 or IIO when it is released from and the spring I30 works between the collars I40 and MI. The collars I28 and MI are firmly secured to the shaft H and the collars I29 and I40 are loosely fixed to the shaft by a fin and slot arrangement. When the shaft is moved longitudinally one of its two springs is compressed,

but the slot carries the loose collar of the other springwith it, thereby preventing its associated spring being effective. This can be clearly seen in Figs. 9 and 11. When the actuating cam which .causes a wheel to be movedis advanced, the

compressed spring forces the register wheel back to normal and the spring on the other side, together with the friction of the drag, prevents :overthrow.

The outside collars, which are fixed to the ;shaft, carry a finger to operate a contact actuator .when, and only when the wheel has been stepped to normal. and shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is pointed out by The finger I45 carried by collar I M way of example. Y

The advance control is shown'by Fig. 12. .At-

:tached to the in advance ratchet wheel I23.is

an arm I 42 carrying at either extremitythereof a'cam I43 and I44. This arm is rigid and when -the cam I43 for instance comes into cooperative relationship with a shaft such as l I5 the shaft is ,moved longitudinally and the register wheel is meshed with .the in-pulse stepping wheel I00 so as to be responsive to incoming pulses. Figs.

.9, IOHand ll show the in cam. I43 having moved the wheel I05 into engagement with the in step wheel I00, and the corresponding out cam'l4fi having similarly associated wheel I04 with the out step wheel IIO. It will be seen therefore, that as the in portion of the mechanism is advanced from wheel to wheel, each register wheel is individually associated with the in step wheel, and when it passes on, the wheel it leaves springs back to normal. Likewise, the out cam forces each wheel it encounters into mesh with the out step wheel H0. The circuit is arranged so that the step wheels are not in motion when a register wheel is being meshed with either of them.

It will be recognized that the register wheels are arranged around a semicircle and the cams and other associated parts are double ended in the same sense that wipers on rotary selectors are similarly designed. The two ends of these parts will be referred to as arms. Thus the part I42 constitutes the arms carrying the in cams I43 and I44.

Each advance portion of the mechanism has two normally closed sets of contacts associated With it. One of these is to prevent either portion overtaking the other and are, therefore, termed overtake contacts. The other sets function with the fingers on the outside collars of the register Wheel shafts. The ones associated with the in portion control the restoration to normal of a register wheel just reached, if it happens to be off normal. These are shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Assuming spring M1 to be grounded to the frame, then as indicated in the circuit diagram, Fig. 13, its companion spring I48 will be connected to spring I50 and the companion spring I49 will be connected to a slip ring I5I and lead by a cooperating brush I52 to the external circuit, in this case the armature of the in step magnet I2I which will therefore automatically move the associated register wheel to normal until contact between springs I41 and I48 or between springs I49 and I50, is broken by the movement of such register wheel to normal. Fig. 13 shows the circuit normal with the contacts I41 and I48 open. Had the other arm been operatively associated with a register wheel, contacts I49 and I50 would be open and contacts I49 and I50 closed.

The similar springs of the out portion detect when a register wheel reaches normal and the out-pulsing is to stop. These are shown only in the circuit diagram Fig. 13. Here the spring I53 is grounded, its companion spring I54 is connected to the spring I55 of the duplicate set, the companion spring I56 is connected to the slip ring I5'I whence the circuit is carried by the brush I58 to the external circuit. These sets of contacts are operated by levers such as the lever I59 attached to the arm I42 and having a cam surface I60 which will cooperate for example, with the finger I6I of collar I28 when the shaft H5 is moved to the right (Fig. 11) by the cam I 43, and lever I62 also attached to the other end of arm I42 and having the cam surface I63 which will cooperate with similar fingers when the associated shafts are moved to the right by the cam I44. The detector contacts I53 to I56 are operated in an identical manner.

Associated with the arm I42 is an overtake device comprising substantially flexible arms I64 and I65 equipped with cam surfaces I66 and I61 respectively and which control the in overtake contacts. These arms are made flexible so that when for instance the overtake arm I68 (Fig. 11) With its camming surface I69 meets a shaft II5 which has been moved into its path the arm I68 'ing of in step magnet ated with the in portion contact of relay ISI, the armature will flex and cause the connection between the springs I and iii to be opened. The arms I64, I65, E53 and the one opposite thereto, termed overtake arms actuate contacts to prevent overtake, The out overtake contacts comprise the contact Iii grounded to the frame and its companion contact I10 which is connected to the contact I12 and its companion contact I13 which in turn is connected to the slip ring I'I -l from which the circuit is extended by brush I15 to the external circuit. The in overtake contacts comprise the contact I'IIS grounded to the frame and its companion contact If? which is connected to the contact I78 and its companion contact I?!) which in turn is connected to the slip ring I88 fro-m which the circuit is extended by brush ISI to the external circuit. The overtake arms are spaced ahead of their associated advance cam arms by the distance between adjacent register wheel shafts.

With the register wheel in its normal position the overtake follower cam will clear the end of the shaft, but if it encounters a shaft which has been projected in its path it will ride up on the end thereof and open the corresponding overtake circuit as described hereinbefore.

The regenerator as a whole has no normal position; it remains standing where left by the previous call. The in-portion stands associated with a register wheel which is normal and the out portion is at the position just back of it. The in cam has the associated register wheel pushed over in mesh with the in step wheel and the out cam has the associated register wheel pushed 'over in mesh with the out step wheel. The pulses I of the first digit step the register wheel associated with the in portion around (in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 10) an amount corresponding to the number of pulses in the incoming train.

In Fig. 13 the dial I82 represents station equipment or other suitable pulsing means at the end of the incoming terminals I83 and I84 of the regenerator. The outgoing terminals leading to apparatus responsive to like trains of pulses are represented by the conductors I85 and I86. When the incoming terminals are seized then relay I8! is operated and this in turn operates the first slow releasing relay I83. When the dial I82 is operated the train of pulses sent thereby consists of a series of short openings of the line circuit whereupon the relay I81 releases its armature a like number of times. Each such impulse results in the closure of a circuit from ground armature and back contact of relay I81, front contact and armature 2 of relay I88, winding of second slow releasing relay I89 through the wind- I2I to battery and ground. The second slow releasing relay I89 responds to the train of pulses as a whole and the in step magnet I2I responds to each pulse separately.

Assuming the in overtake circuit from the ground on contact I'IB to the brush I8I to be closed then upon the energization of relay I89, the magnet I24 will be energized. At the end of the train of pulses this magnet releases and under control of spring I98 moves the ratchet wheel I23 and the associated in advance arms to the next position. The register wheel now associis meshed with the in step wheel I69, and if for any reason this register wheel is off normal the circuit from ground on contact IM to brush i52 is closed so that ground will be extended over the armature and back and back con.-

tact of in stepping magnet I2! and the winding of this magnet to battery and ground. This will result in the rapid stepping of magnet I2! and the movement of the register wheel to normal where by the movement of spring I I'I this circuit is opened as indicated. This action is rapid enough to be entirely completed in the interdigit pause. The next digit will set this register wheel and the in portion is again advanced. This is repeated until the full number has been dialed.

As soon as the in portion is advanced after registering the first digit, the out overtake contacts are closed whereupon a circuit is extended from ground on contact I I I through brush I I 5, armature 5 and front contact of relay I 88, back contact and armature 3 of relay I92 winding of magnet I26 to battery and ground. Magnet I26 drops its pawl into the next tooth of ratchet wheel I25 preparatory to stepping the out portion. Upon the energization of magnet, I26 the ground for energizing this magnet is extended over the armature and front contact thereof, armature I and back contact of relay I93, right-hand winding of relay I92 to battery and ground. Relay I92 locks through its left-hand winding, front contact and armature thereof, front contact and armature 4 of relay I88 to ground for the duration of the call, and at the same time opens the energizing circuit of the magnet I26 so that this magnet releases and advances the out portion to cooperative relationship with the register wheel on which the first digit has just been registered. This register wheel is meshed with the out step wheel. It is the purpose of relay I92 to control the advance of the out portion for transmission of the first digit of the train.

A circuit, is now extended through the detector contacts from ground on contact I53 through brush I58, armature 2 and front contacts of relay I92, the normal contacts controlled by armature 2 of relay IIM, back contact and armature 3 .of relay I86, resistance I95, to discharge condenser I91, the normal charging circuit for which will be described hereinafter. The charged condition of condenser I91 prevents the immediate response of relay H8 but after an interval determined by the constants of this circuit, relay I98 does respond.

Relay I98 in responding closes a circuit from the pick-up interrupter IQ?) for the energization of pick-up relay I94 through its left-hand winding. Relay I94 operates on the first closure of the circuit through interrupter IilIi. Relay I94 then locks through its right-hand winding armature 2 and front contact thereof, front contact and armature 2 of relay It? and thence from brush I58 through the detector contacts to ground on spring I53. Relay 494 closes a circuit from ground through the interrupter 29! armature 4 and front contact of relay I951, winding of relay 20I to battery and ground and r lay 20! responds to the interrupter 2%. This relay opens the circuit to the outgoing terminals at its back contact and armature 4 so that the'outgoing circuit is thus controlled by the interrupter 2%. At the same time upon each operation of relay 25% a circuit is closed from ground through armature 3 and front contact thereof to the winding of out step magnet I22. Thus each out pulse is accom panied by a movement of the out step wheel no whereby the cooperatively associated register wheel is returned one step toward its normal position. When as many pulses have been transmitted as were registered on this wheel, the cam linger on the latter will open contacts I53 and I54 or I51 and I58. Relay 2M maintains, through its armature 2 and front contact, relay I94 up during each pulse so the pulse being transmitted when the register wheel reaches normal will not be mutilated. When relay 26: releases after this last pulse, relay I94 will release to stop the out pulses.

It will be noted that the operation of relay 2M will recharge condenser I91 through resistance 292 on the first pulse, causing relay I98 to remain released when relay 26I releases and prepares the timing circuit for the delay prior to transmitting the next digit.

When the pick-up relay I94 operates to start out pulsing, it operates the out advance relay I96 which looks up to off-normal ground supplied by armature 4 of relay I88. Relay I96 opens the circuit between the detector contacts I 53 to I56) and the resistance I95. If the in portion is more than one register wheel position ahead of the out portion, the out overtake contacts (I'II to I15) will be closed and ground can be traced therefrom through front contact and armature 2 of relay I96 to operate the out advance magnet I26. The front contact of this magnet will shunt the right-hand winding of relay I66 causing it to release with relay I94 released. This results in the release of the out advance magnet I26 which in turn resultsin the advance of the out portion. Release of relay I96 will reclose the circuit from the detector contacts I53 to I58) to resistance I95 to start the timed operation of relay I 98, said time delay being provided in order to afford a proper interval for the functioning of the apparatus connected to the outgoing terminals I85 and I86. When relay I68 again operates the above described pulsing operations will be repeated for transmission of the next digit.

It may be that due to the slow dialing, the out portion will overtake the in portion, i. e. will reach the register wheel position back of the one with which the in portion is associated. When this occurs the out overtake contacts (Ill-I75) will be opened. The pulses registered on the wheel just reached will be transmitted beyond and relay I96 will be operated as described. Magnet I26 will not be operated, however, due to the out overtake contacts being open and the out portion will rest. When the next registration is made by the in portion and it advances, the out overtake contacts will be closed and magnet 526 will operate and by shunting the right-hand winding of relay I96 will cause the release of this relay. Thereupon magnet I26 is released and the out portion is advanced. The out portion will then transmit this new registration and again advance or await the further advance of the in portion, as appropriate. It will be seen that the out advance relay I96 is provided to cause the out portion to advance after a digit has been transmitted provided the in portion is more than one position ahead.

In the event of an abandoned call, relay I88 will release. Assuming that the in portion is more than one position ahead of the out portion, the out overtake contacts will be closed. A circuit can then be traced from ground on contact III through brush I75, armature 5 and back contact of relay I88, winding of relay I93 to battery and ground. Relay I 93 operates and locks directly to the ground over the out overtake contacts. This ground is thus extended over armature 3 and front contact of relay I93 to a back contact of out advance magnet I26 which therefore automatically operates and releases to advance the out portion to the register position just back of the in portion, whereupon the out overtake contacts will open, stopping the operating of magnet I26 and releasing relay I93. The circuit will now rest with all relays normal. t is the purpose of relay I93 to assure that the out portion will reach its proper normal position upon restoration even if the regenerator is reseized immediately upon release and before normal is reached by the out portion. Inasmuch as relay I92 is released by the restoration of relay I88 the digit left on the wheel now associated with the out portion will not be transmitted if immediate reseizure occurs. When the call is completed under normal conditions, the release of relay I 81 will result in magnet I 2I being operated and then magnet I24 to advance the in portion to the next Wheel. If the latter is not normal, magnet I 2| will be repeatedly operated so as to restore it and the in portion will rest. The restoration operation described above with respect to the out portion will become effective to bring it in proper relation with the in portion.

This device is of the storage class and is susceptive of having the out digits started by a ready signal from the equipment beyond by any well known type of start control. Other obvious modifications of this nature can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements, each said element having a normal position, means responsive to an incoming train of pulses for displacing one of said elements a number of steps forward corresponding to the number of pulses in the said train, said means including a common stepping means for moving said displaceable elements forward from their said normal positions, means for stepping said elements back to normal and transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step, said last means including a common stepping means for moving said displaceable elements backward to their normal positions, and automatic means for restoring said elements to their normal positions after a partial setting of said device in which less than the total of said plurality of displaceable elements have been moved from their normal positions in response to incoming trains of pulses.

2. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements, each said element having a normal position, means responsive to an incoming train of pulses for displacing one of said elements a number of steps forward corresponding to the number of pulses in the said train, said means including a common stepping means for moving said displaceable elements forward from their said normal positions, a precision machine controlled interrupter for controlling the transmission of outgoing pulses, means controlled by said interrupter for stepping said elements back to normal and transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step, said last means including a common stepping means for moving said displaceable elements backward to their normal positions, and automatic means for restoring said elements to their normal positions after a partial setting of said device in which less than the total of said plurality of displaceable elements have been moved from their normal positions in response to incoming trains of pulses.

3.A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements, each said element annals having a normal position, means responsive to an incoming train of pulses for displacing one oi said elements a number of steps forward corresponding to the number of pulses in the said train, said means including a common stepping means for moving said displaceable elements forward from their said normal positions, a precision machine controlled interrupter for control ling the transmission of outgoing pulses, a pick-up interrupter for insuring that only full length interruptions produced by said first interrupter will be efiectively used, means controlled by said first interrupter for stepping said elements back to normal and transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step, said last means including a common stepping means for moving said displaceable elements backward to their normal positions, and automatic means for restoring said elements to their normal positions after a partial setting of said device in which less than the total of said plurality of displaceable elements have been moved from their normal positions in response to incoming trains of pulses.

4. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements in the form of fiat circular discs having toothed peripheries, each said disc having a normal position, means responsive to an incoming train of pulses for displacing one of .said discs a number of steps forward corresponding to the number of pulses in the said train, said means including a common stepping means for engaging the teeth of said discs for moving said discs forward from their said normal positions, means for stepping said discs back to normal and transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step, said last means including a common stepping means for moving said discs backward to their normal positions, and automatic means for restoring said discs to their normal positions after a partial setting of said device in which less than the total of said plusality of discs have been moved from their normal positions in response to incoming trains of pulses.

5. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements, each said element having a normal position, means including a common stepping means for moving each of said displaceable elements in turn forward from their said normal positions responsive to an incoming train of pulsesa number of steps corresponding to the number of pulses in the said train, means including a common stepping means for moving each of said displaceable elements in turn backward to their normal positions and for transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step, means for associating said common stepping means with each of said elements in turn and automatic means for restoring said elements to their normal positions after a partial setting of said device in which less than the total of said plurality of displaceable elements have been moved from their normal positions in response to incoming trains of pulses.

6. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceabl elements, each said element having a normal position, means including a common stepping means for moving each of said displaceable elements in turn forward from their said normal positions responsive to an incoming train of pulses a number of steps corresponding to the number of pulses in the said train, said common means being normally associated with the first in order of said mechanically displaceable elements, means including a common Ill) stepping means for moving each of said displaceable elements in turn backward to their normal positions and for transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step, said last common means being normally a step back of said first in order "of said mechanically displaceable elements, means for associating said common stepping means with each of said elements in turn, means for automatically halting the action of said last common means responsive to its approach vvithin a step of said first common means and automatic means for restoring said elements to their normal positions after a partial setting of said device in which less than the total of said plurality oi displaceable elements have been moved from their normal positions in response to incoming trains of pulses.

'7. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements, each said element having a normal position, means including a common stepping means for moving each of said displaceable elements in turn forward from their said normal positions responsive to an incoming train of pulses a number of steps corresponding to the number of pulses in the said train, said common means being normally associated with the first in order of said mechanically displaceable elements, means including a common stepping means for moving each of said displaceable elements in turn backward in their normal positions and for transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step, said last common means be ing normally a step back of said first in order of said mechanically displaceable elements, means for associating said common stepping means with each of said elements in turn, means for automatically halting the action of said last common means responsive to its approach within a step of said first common means, restoring means for moving said common means back to their normal positions and automatic means for restoring said elements to their normal positions after a partial setting of said device in which less than the total of said plurality of displaceable e'le ments have been moved from their normal positions in response to incoming trainsof pulses.

8. A. device comprising a plurality of rriecha'rii-- cally displaceable elements, each said element having a normal position, means including a common stepping means for moving each of said displaceable elements in turn forward from their said normal positions responsive to an imam: ing train of pulses a number of steps corresponding to the number of pulses in the said train, said common means being normally associated with the first in order of said mechanically dis placeable elements, means including a common stepping means for moving each of said displace-j able elements in turn backward to their normal positions and for transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step, said last common means be-' ing normally a step back of said first in order of said mechanically displaceable elements, means ior associating said common stepping means with each of said elements in turn, means for aiito matically halting the action of said 1as'tc'ommon means responsive to its approach within a step of said first common means and means operable at any stage'in' the operation of said device for restoring said device to normal.

9. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements, each said element having a normal position, means responsive to incoming trains of pulses for displacing said elemen-ts each a number of steps from normal corre sponding to the number of pulses in a train, said last means including a common direct forward acting means, means for associating said common means with each of said displaceable elements in turn, an electromagnet responsive to the pulses of an incoming train and a mechanical connection between said electromagnet and said common means consisting of a vane on which said electromagnet may operate in any of said positions of said common means, means for transmitting outgoing pulses corresponding in number to the number of steps each of said mechanically displaceable elements has been moved from normal, said last means including a common direct backward acting means, means for associatme said last common means with each of said displaceable elements in turn, an electromagnet controlled by said outgoing pulse transmitting means and a mechanical connection between said last electromagnet and said last comm-on means consisting of a vane on which said last electromagnet may operate in any of said positions of said last common means.

, 10. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements, each said element having a normal position, a set of contacts individual to each said element operated upon the movement of said element ofi normal, means responsive to incoming trains of pulses for displacing said elements each a number of steps from normal corresponding to the number of pulses in a train, said last means including a common direct forward acting means, means for associating said common means with each of said displaceable elements in turn, an electromagnet responsive to the pulses of an incoming train and a loose coupled mechanical connection between said electromagnet and said common means whereby said electromagnet may operate said common means in any of said positions of said common means, a set of contacts individual to each said displaceable element operated in response to the positioning of said common means in association with .said element, means for transmitting outgoing pulses corresponding in number to the nun1 ber of steps eachof said mechanically displaceable elements had been moved from normal, said last means including a common backward acting means, means for associating said last common means with each of said displaceable elements in turn, an electromagnet controlled by said outgoing pulse transmitting means and a loose coupled mechanical connection between said last electromagnet and said last common means whereby said last electromagnet may operate said last common means in any of said positions of said last common means, a set of contacts individual to each said displaceable element operated in response to the positioning of said last common means in association with said element, and a circuit arrangement including said oil-normal contacts and said sets of individual contacts for preventing the operation of said last electromagnet when said common backward acting means has a position one displaceable element behind said common direct forward acting means. 11. A device comprising a plurality of rotatable elements, each said element having a normal position, means including a common direct acting pawl for engaging each of said elements in turn responsive to an incoming train .of pulses for rotating one of said elements forward a number of steps corresponding to the number of pulses in said train, and means including a common direct acting pawl for engaging each of said elements 111 turn for stepping said element backward to nor- 75 mal and for transmitting an outgoing pulse for each said step.

12. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements each in the form of a pinion and each having a normal position, a common gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions forward from their normal positions, means responsive to incoming pulses for controlling the extent of movement of said common gear, another common gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions backward to their normal positions and means responsive to the movement of said pinions into their normal positions for controlling the extent of movement of said other gear.

13. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements each in the form of a pinion and each having a normal position, a common gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions forward from their normal positions, means responsive to incoming pulses for controlling the extent of movement of said common gear, another common gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions back- 25 ward to their normal positions, means responsive to the movement of said pinions into their normal positions for controlling the extent of movement of said other gear, an incoming selector for selectively moving said pinions into mesh with said first common gear and an outgoing selector for selectively moving said pinions into mesh with said second common gear.

14. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements each in the form of a pinionand each having a normal position, a common gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions forward from their normal positions, means responsive to incoming pulses for controlling the extent of movement of said common gear, another common gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions backward to their normal positions, means responsive to the movement of said pinions into their normal positions for controlling the extent of movement of said other gear, an incoming selector for se lectivity moving said pinions into mesh with said first common gear, an outgoing selector for selectively moving said pinions into mesh with said second common gear, and means carried by said selectors for preventing further movement of either upon overtake of the other.

15. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements each in the form of a pinion and each having a normal position, a common incoming gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions forward from their normal positions, means responsive to incoming pulses for controlling the extent of movement of said common incoming gear, a common outgoing gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions backward to their normal positions, means responsive to the movement of said pinions into their normal positions for controlling the extent of movement of said outgoing gear, means controlled by said outgoing gear for generating and transmitting outgoing pulses, an incoming selector for moving one pinion at a time into mesh with said incoming gear and an outgoing selector for moving one pinion at a time into mesh with said outgoing gear.

16. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements each in the form of a pinion and each having a normal position, a common incoming gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions forward from their normal positions, means responsive to incoming pulses for controlling the extent of move.- ment of said common incoming gear, a common outgoing gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions backward to their normal positions, means responsive to the movement of said pinions into their normal positions for controlling the extent of movement of said outgoing gear, means for generating and transmitting outgoing pulses, an incoming selector for moving one pinion at a time into mesh with said incoming gear, an outgoing selector for moving one pinion at a time into mesh with said outgoing gear, each said selector comprising a pair of camming surfaces one for moving the pinion with which said selector is at the time associated and another for testing the position of the next in order pinion and means for arresting further movement of a selector when said forward testing camming surface detects the next in order pinion to have been moved by the other of said selectors.

17. A device comprising a plurality of mechanically displaceable elements each in the form of a pinion and each having a normal position, a cam operated by each said pinion which by its position denotes the said normal position of said pinion, a common incoming gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions forward from their normal positions, means responsive to incoming pulses for controlling the extent of movement of said common incoming gear, a common outgoing gear arranged to mesh with said pinions to drive said pinions backward to their normal positions, means for generating and transmitting outgoing pulses, an incoming selector for moving one pinion at a time into mesh with said incoming gear, an outgoing selector for moving one pinion at a time into mesh with said outgoing gear, each said selector comprising a pair of camming surfaces one for moving the pinion with which said selector is at the time associated and another for testing the position of the next in order pinion, a set of contacts associated with each said camming surface of said selectors, said contacts associated with said pinion moving surfaces being operated by said individual pinion cams and said contacts associated with said camming surfaces for testing the next in order pinion being operated by a next in order pinion which has been moved by the pinion moving surface of the other of said selectors and a circuit arrangement controlled by said last set of contacts for arresting further movement of that selector which has detected a next in order pinr ion moved by the other of said selectors.

18. A device comprising a plurality of toothed discs in order, each with a normal position, an electromagnet responsive to incoming pulses received in trains, actuating means common to said discs adapted to engage the teeth of said discs individually to advance a disc one tooth pitch for each received pulse, means to operate said actuating means by said electromagnet, means to operatively associate said actuating means and successive discs in order for each train of received pulses, whereby said trains of pulses are registered on said discs, means to transmit outgoing pulses, a second electromagnet responsive to outgoing pulses, a second actuating means common to said discs adapted to engage the teeth of said discs individually to restore .a disc toward normal one tooth pitch for each transmitted pulse, means to operate said second actuating means by said second electromagnet, a distributor to operatively associate said second actuating means and successive discsin the same order that they were advanced by the incoming trains of pulses, means operated in response to each disc reaching normal for stopping the transmission of pulses for a predetermined interval and means to advance the distributor to the next disc in order in response to the preceding disc reaching normal, whereby trains of pulses are transmitted corresponding to those received.

19. A device comprising a plurality of rotatable elements, means responsive to successive trains of impulses to rotate said elements in order for each train to positions corresponding to the number of pulses in the respective trains, means for transmitting outgoing impulses of either of two types under control of said elements, and means controlled by at least one of said elements for selecting the type of said outgoing impulses transmitted.

20. A device comprising a plurality of rotatable elements, means responsive to each of successive trains of received impulses to rotate said elements in order to positions corresponding to the number of pulses in said trains, means for transmitting outgoing impulses in trains corresponding to those received under control of the elements in order and at either of two rates, and means controlled by one of said elements dependout upon the position to which it has been rotated for selecting the rate of transmission of the outgoing impulses.

21. A device comprising a plurality of rotatable elements in order, means responsive to successive trains of received impulses to rotate the elements in order to positions corresponding to the number of impulsesin the successive trains,

two interrupters having difierent interrupting,

rates, means including either of said interrupters for transmitting outgoing trains of impulses corresponding in number to those received and under control of the successive elements in order dependent upon the position to which said elements have been rotated in response to the received impulses, and means controlled by the position of the first element in the order for selecting the particular interrupter employed for transmitting outgoing impulses whereby the rate of outgoing impulses is determined by the first train of received impulses.

JUDSON OD. SHEPHERD. 

